Improvement in piano-forte agraffes



T. KATER.

Piano-Forte Agrafes. NWN-9,759. Patented Apr|14,1874.

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%// Een pl/ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE THOMAS KATER, OF HAMILTON, CANADA.

IMPROVEMENT IN PIANO-FORTE AGRAFFES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 149,759, dated April 14, 1874; application [iled March 9, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Beitknown that I, THoMns KATER, of Hamilton, in the coun ty ofWentworth and Dominion of Canada, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Stringing Pianos, of which the following is a speciication:

This invention relates to a novel mode of Stringing pianos, whereby the supportingbridge between the ordinary agrait'es and tuning-pins and the bearing-pins of the curved central bridge are dispensed with. The invention consists in an agraffe, which is provided with an opening or openings for the passage of the strings, and with a transverse opening for the reception of a bearing pin or rod, said rod being designed to subserve the function of the ordinary supporting bridge usually arranged in rear of the agraes, but being located directly in the center, or within the agrarie, and beneath the string. A check or bend is formed in the same, so as to secure a double, or upward and downward, bearing, for impart ing the requisite rigidity to the string, and augmenting its sounding qualities, and, furthen more, lessening the tendency of displacing or loosening the agrai'es in tuning the strings. The invention further consists in forming an agraire with a transverse opening, and with openings at right angle-s thereto, which vary in diameter or size, so as to cause the strings passing through the same to bear against the roof or apex of the smaller openings, and to be located at or about the center of the enlarged openings.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is perspective view of a portion of the frame of a pianoforte, showing the arrangement of the strings and agraies. Fig. 2 is a view representing the check or bend in the string, and the openings in the agraifes, the latter being partly in section. Fig. 3 is a detached View of the agraii'es, taken on opposite sides of the same, and through the center.

Heretofore it has been customary, in stringing pianos, to arrange, in respect to the tuning-pins, agraies having openings for the passage of the strings, which serve, in connection with a bridge located in rear of the same, to support the wires, and to form the check or .bend in the latter. This arrangement of parts is considered defective, as in tuning or tight ening the strings, and, in use, the agraffes are apt to be loosened or displaced by reason of the upward strain exerted upon the same by the strings, which is due to the passage of the same over the bearingbridge. The passage of the strings between the ordinary pins of the curved center-bridge, to secure a lateral bearing or check in the strings, is also objectionable, for various reasons.

My invention is designed to remedy the defects above stated, and to furnish simple and effective means for Stringing pianos 5 and, in carrying the same into practice, I make use of agraffes A, which are provided with enlarged heads, and with screw or other shanks for securing the same to the frame. The head of the agraft'e is provided with one, two, or three string openings, a, according to the number of strings which are employed to form a note, and, in addition to said openings, each agrati'c is formed with a transverse opening, b, or one arranged, at right angles to the string-open ings. Theagraffes are designed to be applied to the ordinary tuning block, plate, rail, or base B, which supports or carries the ordinary tuning-pins C, and the strings D are attached to the latter in the ordinary manner. The strings are passed through the openings in the agrafes located on the tuning-pin rail, and through correspondingly-shaped agraffes E, arranged on the curved center or sound-board bridge F of the piano, and from thence they are conducted to the ordinary bitching-pins G at the oppon site side of the frame. The transverse opening in the agraile is designed for the reception of a pin or rod, G', which passes directly through the center ofthe agrait'e, beneath the string or strings, as shown in Figs. l and 2. The object of said pin or rod is to form a central bearing, or cheek, or bend in the wire; and it thus subserves the function of the ordinary bridge located between the agraffes or tuning-pins.

The openings in the agraiies for the passage of the strings vary in diameter or size at the sides of the central opening, so that when the pin or rod is passed through the latter the front of the wire is forced against the roof or apex of the small opening, while the opposite portion ofthe wire is located at or about the center ofthe enlarged opening. By this means an upward bearin g is obtained in front, and a downward bearing in the center, so that the necessary degree of rigidity or tension will be imparted to the string, and to form what is technically termed a check.77 rIhe agraies are,by reason of the arrangement ofthe strings and transverse pin, not liable to be displaced or loosened in tuning or tightening the strings, and in use, as the strain is eqnalized by the double bearing-surfaces.

In eontradistinction to the ordinary pins applied to the curved soundfboard or centerbridge F for forming a check in the wire, I propose to arrange thereon the agrat'es E, as heretofore described. The strings pass through the same in the same manner as in the agratt'es of the tuning block, plate, rail, or base, and the pin or transverse rod is employed for a like purpose.

In the present instance,the series of agratl'es on the curved center-bridge and tuning block, plate, rail, or base are reversed-that is to say, the small openings are, in one series of agratfes, located at the front, and, in the other, at the rear, as shown in Fig. 2.

An ordinary agratt'c cannot be employed in connection with the center-bridge, as it lacks the means for forming a check 0r bend in the string; but an agratle constructed according to my invention can be readily applied to secure the advantages previously stated.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. An agratt'e for pianos, having one or more openings for thepassage of the string or strings, and a transverse openin g at right angles thereto for the reception of a pin, rod, or bridge, substantially as herein described.

2. rIhe agraft'e A, located on thetunin gbloek, plate, rail, or base, having an opening or openings, a, for the string or strings, a transverse opening, b, and a pin or bridge, G', passing through thelatter to form a ehecl; in the string, and to secure a double bearing, substantiallyr as herein described.

3. An agrait'e for pianos, having one or more string-openings varying in diameter 0r size on opposite sides of a central transverse pin or bridge opening, substantially as herein described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 9th day ot' March, 1874.

THOMAS KATE R.

Witnesses:

Jnnns L. Nonms, Wn. J. IHcY'roN. 

